Not much is better than a home-cooked meal you didn’t cook! One of the many IMP benefits is the ability to request meals after the birth of a child. I know this was a huge help for me! I also try to cook meals if a close friend is moving or going through another big life change. Here are some of my favorite recipes to drop off and a few other ideas.

​Think Breakfast

I like to do egg dishes because they can be eaten any time of the day. As a vegetarian, I never think twice about cooking for girlfriends but can be self-conscious cooking for men not knowing if they expect meat in each meal. Dishes like this egg and cheese strata from Everyday Annie seem to be hearty enough that the meat won't be missed. This strata from Weelicious is also great. You can throw some fruit or muffins in with it or even make/pick up some smoothies too.

Soup

I’ve made this vegetable soup from Cooking Classy before when it looks like the new mom will be getting a lot of other heavier dishes. Give a loaf of bread with it because this is a little too healthy on its own . A a salad would complete the meal.

Heartier Dishes

This spinach-black bean lasagna, originally from Southern Living, is probably the dish I’ve made the most for my family the last decade. I like that this one dish can easily feed my family and gift a ton of food . Note: I double the spinach.

A pasta bake like this one from Two Peas and Their Pod is easy to make and delicious.

Other Ideas

In Facebook groups, I’ve seen suggestions for taking a deli-type platter for the new mom and family to easily be able to make sandwiches at any time.

Similarly, someone else once did a big basket of snacks, fruit and veggies.

Dessert

When I have time to bake, I love throwing in oatmeal cookies with the meal. If the mom is breastfeeding then it could be helpful, and if she’s not, well then, it’s still cookies!

I don’t have a go-to recipe but have used this one from Two Peas and Their Pod and this one from AllRecipes .

I also am a big fan of splitting a night with a friend--someone does any appetizer or salad and desert and the other one does the main dish.